Petra plopped onto the chair again, the wooden legs loudly scratching the floor. “I think I became obsessed with work in a way.”
I nodded and sat across from her. “I have a proposition for you.”
Asking her to take on a promotion was step one of many to get where I needed to be, and like Petra, I was annoyed I had been so obsessed with being successful that I hadn’t thought rationally or strategically when it came to my life.
“I’m surprised you don’t want me fired, Connor. I deserve it. I let my personal vendetta against a competitor get in the way of supporting you. Not as a CEO or my boss, but as my friend for ten years.”
“I want you to be my COO.”
She frowned.
“You’ll be my right hand. My number two. You speak for me when I’m not there. You lead our executive team and ensure shit is done and done well. You’re already doing it. You have the respect, experience, and my support. It’ll be a significant raise, more shares in the company, and provide us both with what we need.” I swallowed as my gut settled. I trusted that sixth-sense feeling when it came to work, never questioning it. This was the move. “This will allow me more time at home with my wife. This also gives you more power, more voice. You influence the votes, the board members, the team. We run this place together, instead of you just supporting me.”
Her lips trembled.
Fuck.
“If you cry, I will shove you outside. I’ve never seen you cry, Petra, and today is not the day to start.” I pointed a finger at her. “Knock it the fuck off. Do you want the position or not?”
She nodded.
“It’ll take me some time to get the board okay with theincrease in salary and for you to find your replacement. I already drafted a description and have calls set up with our CFO and CTO this afternoon. This is going to happen, one way or another.”
“Thank you.” She stood and held out her hand, her eyes waterier than I liked, but no tears fell.
“I will never let you down again.”
“Deal.” I shook her hand, smiling until she finally gave me half a smile.
“See, this is good news.”
“You’re really chipper for a man whose wife might leave him. I don’t get it.”
“Laney agreed to give me the month to prove to her that we can make this work. This is step one.”
Her eyes lit up.
“Okay, we need to brainstorm ideas, ways to—”
“I appreciate you so much. I do, but I have to do this alone.” I swallowed the uncomfortable lump in my throat. “If I can’t win my wife back on my own merit, then I don’t deserve her.”
Her eyebrows disappeared into her hairline. “Holy shit, Connor. You’re legit.”
“You lost yourself the last year or so. Well, I did too. I need to reset.”
“Have you considered just powering yourself off and on again?”
“Funny.” My lips quirked. “Are you staying in town a bit or did you come just to yell at me this morning?”
Her nostrils flared. “I’m happy you’re working on yourself and Laney, but dude, we have so much to fucking do. Are you able to work today?”
“I appreciate you asking instead of demanding. Improvement.” I poured another cup of coffee and faced her. “Do you want to find a hotel and stay in town for a bit? We could work here during the day.”
“And not go back to the city?” She scrunched her nose. “This is a small town.”
“Yeah, and it’s charming. It might be good for you. Let me know if you want to get a hotel. I’ll reserve one for you since I’m the reason you’re here. Now, let’s get to work and make sure we both still have jobs.”
“I definitely fucking do. It’s you who disappeared. Now, here is my theory on how someone influenced our development team…”
